SUMMARY REPORT November 2005

Ashford Local Development Framework Landscape Character Study for Ashford Borough Council & English Partnerships

122/doc/014 © studioengleback Notice: This report was prepared by Studio Engleback solely for use by Ashford Borough Council. This report is not addressed to and may not be relied upon by any person or entity other than by Ashford Borough Council for any purpose without the prior written permission of Studio Engleback.

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for Ashford Borough Council & English Partnerships

November 2005 122/doc/014

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studioengleback Executive Summary

Studio Engleback was commissioned by English Partnerships and This Summary Report is one of fifteen reports and should be read Running concurrently with this was our search for landscape Ashford Borough Council in August 2004 to produce a Landscape in conjunction with the other fourteen. These reports present the signa≠tures as away of expressing the diversity, often very subtle, Character Assessment of the hinterland of Ashford town. The findings of both Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the study. The original of the surrounding landscape. The context section of this report overall aim was to inform the Local Development Framework scoping and methodology report and background report have shows layers of landscape issues grouped into physical, landscape (LDF), but the immediate aim was to feed into the Greater Ashford been revised. The data reports have been reorganised to reflect the char≠acter and changes. These need to be read in conjunction Development Framework (GADF) which is a part of the LDF. County Landscape Character Report published in 2004. As large with the assessments. parts of twelve County Landscape Areas fall with the Ashford study Studio Engleback lead the Environment and Sustainability zone of some 100 square kilometres, there are twelve reports. The complete set of reports are: Workstream for the GADF which started in February 2004, but the 122/doc/012 Scoping and Methodology scope of that work was not large enough to cover a true landscape The study divided the areas into about 250 parcels of land called 122/doc/013 Background character study. An outline review of the surrounding countryside Landscape Description Units (LDUs). These were based on the 122/doc/014 Summary Report was made along with the assessment of environmental constraints Historic Landscape Characterisation Study of Kent published by 122/doc/015 Hollingbourne Vale and these guided the GADF zoning of potential expansion areas. KCC in 2001. We have grouped these areas into 58 larger units 122/doc/016 Stour Gap we have termed District Landscape Types based on similarity, for 122/doc/017 Stour Valley The need for a character study was raised at an early stage and the assess≠ment. Assessments were carried out by a collegium of 122/doc/018 Brabourne Vale discussions about what form this might take had started in June 4 senior land≠scape architects and an ecologist in the field over a 122/doc/019 Brabourne Lees Mixed Farmlands 2004. As a consequence of time scale and funding the Ashford four day period, and checked by the same team a few days later in 122/doc/020 Mersham Farmlands Landscape Character study was split into two. the studio. The findings were then checked again against the field 122/doc/021 Upper Stour Valley sheets for each of the component LDUs. 122/doc/022 Aldington Ridge Phase 1 considered the landscape in, and for a 1 km hinterland 122/doc/023 Old Saxon Wooded Farmlands around, the preferred GADF expansion zones. Since the land≠scape A summary of each of the twelve County Landscape Areas falling 122/doc/024 Bethesden Farmlands character study was started six months before the GADF final report within this study area is contained in this report. A more detailed 122/doc/025 Biddenden & High Halden Wooded farmlands was submitted, some essential findings were taken on board the assessment of the component District Landscape Types that 122/doc/026 Hothfield Heathy Farmlands GADF and the Strategic Design Codes studio engleback wrote for com≠prise the County Areas and the data for LDUs that make up this. This was important as the work involved getting to know the each District types is contained in twelve supplementary reports. A read only pdf CD of these reports and the photographs taken in whole area almost field by field providing a considerable insight into each area is located in the rear of this report. the whole area. The assessments for each District Landscape Type were subjec≠tive Studio Engleback 11/2005 based on the assessors knowledge of the area and issues, but a Phase 2 was planned from the start to fill in the gaps around the series of criteria were used to guide these deliberations. These town where no development was envisaged, and to expand the criteria included: visual unity, ecological integrity, condition of field work for parcels of land that had been trimmed by the 1 km heri≠tage features (e.g. hedges) and impact of built development. zoning for Phase 1. The field work was prepared in June 2005 and The Condition and Sensitivity matrix or nine outcomes used in the carried out between July and October 2005. Phase 2 also included County Assessment was then used. The highest score would be a the assessment for all the areas reported on in both phases of the straight ‘conserve’, the lowest would be ‘create’ and in between, work. depending on existing condition and our view on the sensitivity of the area, were a variety of outcomes such as ‘restore’ or ‘reinforce’ In Phase 1, the study centred around each of the proposed and mixed areas of ‘restore and create’ or ‘conserve and reinforce’. expan≠sion areas. The submission comprised nine illustrated Not surprisingly the general trend of assessments was broadly reports, which are not completely superceded by the new set similar to the county assessment, but because those assessments insofaras they presented the data in a form directly relevant to the were for larger areas other factors may have come into play for the GADF. Following a brief introduction to the aims and methodology of final scores. In break≠ing down the areas to DLTs a much finer grain the study, the Phase 1 reports provided an overview to the Kentish of assessment could be given. landscape context and the palette of landscape components existing in the countryside around Ashford. The majority of these reports focused on the key landscape elements unique to each of the six proposed extension zones: Cheeseman’s Green, Sevington,

Kingsnorth, Kennington, Sandyhurst and Chilmington. Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 4 5 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Contents

Executive Summary 4 4 Landscape Signatures 45 Woodland 46 1 Introduction 8 A Palette of Trees 48 Hedges 50 2 Landscape Context 11 The Productive Landscape 52 Landscape of Layers 12 Riverine 54 The Low Weald 14 Ponds, Moats & Dykes 56 Wealden Greensand 15 Wetlands 58 Geology 16 Buildings in The Landscape 60 Natural Areas 17 Topography 18 5 Summary of Findings 62 Drainage 19 Study Areas 64 Historic Landscape Character 20 Distinctive Elements 66 County Landscape Area 21 Key Detractors 68 Agricultural Land Quality 22 Assessment 70 Heritage 23 Habitats 24 6 Overview of Each Area 73 Ecological Designations 25 Aldington Ridge 74 Landcover Changes 26 Bethersden Farmlands 76 Tme Depth in Historic Character 28 Biddenden High Halden Wooded Farmlands 80 Landscape Detail Lost 30 Braebourne Lees Mixed Farmlands 82 Evidence of Elms Lost 31 Braebourne Vale 84 County Landscape Strategy 32 Hollingbourne Vale 86 Kent Lifescapes Study (K.L.I.S) 33 Hothfield Heathy Farmlands 88 Mersham Farmlands 92 3 Appreciation 34 Old Romney Shoreline Wooded Farmlands 94 Detail and Detail 36 Stour Gap 96 The Poetics of Landscape 38 Stour Valley 98 Appreciation of Character: Upper Stour Valley 100 Seasonal Changes 40 Quality of Place 42 References 108

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 4 5 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 6 7 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Section 1 Introduction

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 6 7 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Introduction Ashford has a subtly varied hinterland. This is because in the The idea that Ashford will grow to such an extent can seem he ‘yellow’ network may be associated with energy and waste. For first instance, within an approximate 3 kilometre zone around the daunt≠ing, especially as development in the town over the last example energy conservation through shelter planting and energy town, there are bands of 4 different underlying strata – Chalk, 40 years has been significant, and has not always been very production using biomass, heat pumps in green areas, or even solar Gault Clay, Greensand, and Wealden Clay. Overlaying this is a well considered. During this same timescale., however, the wider collectors and macro and micro-wind turbines. This could give rise greater pattern≠ing of soils, in part due to the network of rivers landscape around the town has also changed very considerably. to a local energy network as seen in Wokingham. There would be which converge on the town and then pass through it to the north. It is often easy to forget that the landscape is a dynamic entity impacts on the landscape character both positive and potentially Landuse, settle≠ment and land husbandry is has its roots in the and never stays still, although management of it can arrest some negative, but also an overall benefit to the environment through Saxon era, and this ancient influence on the modern landscape is change, and create certain qualities. reduction of carbon emissions. This could be a demonstration still apparent. 14 County Landscape Character Types identified in how conservation of viable landscapes respecting local landscape the KCC/Babtie study for the whole county are found within our The key changes in the landscape around Ashford have included: signatures can also meet the green agenda of this century. We study area. We have simplified this down to twelve areas since only • national infrastructure: the M20 and CTRL corridors call this approach ‘ecourbanism’ a holistic view to town and the small area of two county areas fell within our area of study. • the loss of elm trees due to Dutch Elm Disease in the 1960s countryside surrounding it. We broke down the study area of some 100 square kilometres and 70s into 216 Landscape Description Units plus settlements which were • changes in agricultural subsidy leading to larger fields, often This study is aimed at informing the Local Development Framework, based on the distribution of Historic Landscape Character Types. drained to raise arable crops rather than to support pastureland, of which the Greater Ashford Development Framework forms A team of two surveyors visited each site, in line with Countryside and the loss of special ‘kentish’ crops such as orchards and a significant part. It also needs to be read in conjunction with Agency guidelines, to photograph it from various points and to hop gardens. related studies which have been carried out such as the Strategic record key issues. These issues included topography, enclosure, Environmental Assessment for the GADF, The Integrated Water landuse, integrity, vegetation cover and composition features and The key results has been a significant coarsening of the grain of management Study for Ashford, The Accessible Natural Greenspace detractors etc. certain landscapes, particularly along the greensand and river Standards (ANGSt) study, The Ashford Green Corridors, and valleys. Within the study area these key elements have been lost, relevant portions of the Kent Biodiversity and Habitat Action Plans In a first round of evaluation, we grouped similar Landscape some areas being more badly affected than others: ( Kent BAP and Kent HAP, Kent Habitats Survey, Kent Lifescape Description Units together to form what we have termed District • many kilometres of hedges have been removed Study (K-LIS) and others. Landscape Types of which there are 46, plus 12 larger settle≠ments. • ponds have been filled in, ditches lost with hedges It is these District Landscape Character Types that have been • woodlands and orchards lost The natural extension of this study would be in developing a green evaluated with regard to there sensitivity to development. strategy for the town and its immediate hinterland to realise the These District Landscape Character Types are in keeping with the In many ways the loss of hedgerows has had a significant intention in the aforementioned reports as well as aims set out in scale of land parcel used for similar evaluation in other stud≠ies effect,because these supported hedgerow trees which, seen in the English Nature document on Multifunctional Greenspaces in in the county. The reason that smaller landscape description units close proximity, provide a wooded quality to the landscape. This and around towns and cites and the Countryside Agency’s report “ were considered for this study is partly in deference to the historic was compounded by the loss of large Elm trees. We have not Unlocking the potential of the rural urban fringe’. It is essential that nature of the local landscape, and partly because there is a need been able to trace any records of losses, but since elm lives on in proposals for this ‘Green Infrastructure’, that will be delivering a for a finer grain of study due to the expansion of the town by 31000 hedges, we have a fair idea of the coverage of elm within the study series of ‘Green Services’ will be rooted in a deep understanding of homes over the next 30 years and the very considerable land take area and apart from woodlands where elm was neverpresent, it the local condition and its variety of Landscape Characters. that development, and the green infrastructure that supports it will was widespread in the farmed landscape. take. Studio Engleback 11/2005 Through the identification of Local Landscape Character, and There is a great desire in the Greater Ashford Development a better understanding of local processes, cultural and natural, Framework to understand the local environment from a variety of these resources that such a close study occasions, we believe it perspectives which include Landscape Character, Cultural Heritage, is possible to impart particular local character to different quarters Integrated Water Management, and Biodiversity. These key issues of the town through a multi-functional green network that reaches overlap and interact to provide very special combina≠tions that out to the surrounding landscape. These can be termed ‘Blue’ and lend a place a special distinctiveness. This distinctive≠ness need ‘Green’ networks as a response to local hydrology and the need not be dramatic, and sometimes it depends on the speed at which to consider sustainable drainage and waste water options, as well it is perceived to be fully appreciated. and green space. The green component may be transport corridors for pedestrians and cyclists as well as vehicles that connect urban and rural spaces. It may also encompass green infrastructure such as floodplains, biomass production as annual crops or as forestry which might be termed the ‘yellow’ network. Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 8 9 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 WYE STOUR HOLLINGBOURNE VALLEY VALE HOTHFIELD HEATHY STOUR FARMLANDS GAP GREENSAND D FRUIT BELT STOUR VALLEY D UPPER STOUR VALLEY BRAEBOURNE BIDDENDEN VALE HIGH HALDEN G WOODED FARMLANDS ASHFORD BRAEBOURNE LEES BEULT MIXED F VALLEY FARMLANDS BETHERSDEN UPPER FARMLANDS STOUR VALLEY MERSHAM E FARMLANDS B UPPER ALDINGTON STOUR RIDGE VALLEY

OLD ROMNEY SHORELINE C A WOODED FARMLANDS Based on an OS Map Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO License No LA077038 © Crown copyright. All rights reserved. The Ashford Character Study Area Black line shows Kent County Landscape Character Areas Red fine lines show Historic Landscape Character Parcels used as a basis for the Landscape Description Units (LDUs) in this study Study Area within Ashford District Study Area Fieldwork Sectors White lines show District Areas as defined in the assessment

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 8 9 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 10 11 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Section 2 Landscape Context

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 10 11 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Landscape context A Landscape of Layers: Physical Attributes General The current landscape is a tapestry of interweaving threads which together provide the landscape character. There are physical issues historic depth of remaining features which lead to landscape characteristics, and features that have been lost over the past century that have often meant that the grain and detail of the landscape have been lost. Landscape character is not just about the aesthetic of the rural scene, but the ramifications this may have on the function and processes in the landscape. This Geology is a complex issue that we feel is better illustrated by looking at individual and interrelated attributes or characteristics in this context section. These are summarised opposite in what we have termed a landscape of layers. Although all these layers (which are representative rather than exhaustive in showing issues) are cross cutting and inform each other we have divided them into to three sets of relating issues: Topography • Physical Attributes, • Landscape Characteristics, • Landscape Changes.

Additional plans in this section include the County Landscape Strategy and the Kent Lifescape Study (K-LIS). The former addresses issues of conservation, reinforcement or renewal of the landscape that were the outcome of the County Landscape Drainage Character Assessment. The K-LIS study combined data from the Country Habitat Survey, Topography and Geology/Soils data to suggest where particular habitats might be extended or re- created.

Each plan is shown in the following pages accompanied by observations. For this summary report we show the whole study area and make observations at that level. In the set of accompanying Habitats data reports that cover each county landscape area within the study area we zoom into the context plans to consider a finer level of detail.

Natural Areas

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 12 13 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Landscape Characteristics Landscape Changes

Historic Landscape Types Features Lost since 1871

Heritage Areas that lost Elms

Agricultural Land Quality Landcover in 1961

Nature Conservation Landcover in 1999 Designations

County Landscape Areas County Landscape

Ashford Landscape Character Study Based on an OS Map Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 12 License No LA077038 © Crown copyright. All rights reserved. 13 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Landscape context The Low Weald

General Historical Background Key characteristics

The Low Weald is a broad, low-lying, clay vale surrounding the The Wealden Forest was referred to by the Romans as Sylva • Broad, low lying and gently undulating clay vales superimposed High Weald, the oldest and highest part of the Wealden anticline, Anderida, becoming known as Andredsweald in Saxon times. A by an intricate mix of small woodlands and a patchwork of field on three sides. It is gently undulating but rarely more than 30- thriving iron industry existed in Roman times due to iron deposits and hedges. 40metres AOD and many areas are as low as 15 metres AOD. and the abundance of timber to smelt it. The industry was revived in the late 15th century and this lead to the management of large • Topography and soils vary locally according to the relationship Ashford is located at the eastern end of this character area. Since areas of woodland for fuel and the creation of hammer ponds. to underlying higher, drier outcrops of limestone and sand stone much of the land is flat and wet, settlements developed on the which are commonly the sites for settlements. slightly higher, drier, ground where pockets of sandstone or lime- Until the Domesday book in 1086 about 70% of the area was stone were present. The dispersed nature of settlements that arose still wooded. Clearance for charcoal and ship building was • An abundance of ponds and small stream valleys with wet because of this is a feature of the Low Weald. piecemeal leaving belts of the wildwood, known locally as Shaws woodlands of alder and willow carr. between fields. Other fields were cleared along woodland edges In general, the area is well wooded, and in historical time this was known as Assarts, and these resulted in woodlands with irregular • Tall hedgerows with numerous trees linking copses, shaws and part of the Wealden Forest covering much of the South East cor- shapes. Many hedges also had woodland origins which can still remnant woodlands give an overall wooded quality. ner of England. The impervious nature of the clay soils supports be recognised today by their species rich composition including numerous small ponds and areas of alder and willow carr along ancient woodland ‘indicator species’ such as Wood Anenome • Grassland predominates on heaviest clay soils, lighter soils riparian corridors. This is accentuated by wet grazing with willow Anenome blanda. on higher ground support arable crops and a more open and sallow scrub in the major river valleys. landscape. Due to the forest and heavy clay, the area was settled in a scattered Agriculture manner, often a grouping of houses along a road, or individual • Rural character of dispersed farmsteads, small settlements, cottages. A central feature of many villages are commons or village including many brick and timber vernacular buildings in Due to the heavy damp soils, agriculture was generally limited to greens. untouched areas, elsewhere the landscape can be dominated grazed pastureland except where there are lighter drier soils on by recent urban development. slightly higher ground, or on drift deposits of brick earths were there is arable and fruit growing. The arable landscape, espe- • Historic settlement pattern was dictated by preference for cially since the 1960s, has been of larger fields suitable for large higher, drier outcrops of limestone or sandstone, with moated mechanical cultivation. During the 1960s and 1970s it was com- manor houses being a characteristic feature. monplace to see hedgerows removed, and tree cover reduced by Dutch Elm Disease as well as in connection with field enlargement. • Hop gardens and orchards are still a distinctive land use in These areas provide a marked contrast to the more characteristic Kent, although hop growing has declined massively over wooded areas. This fairly recent shift in landscape appearance has the last 40 years. This has had a knock on effect on the much to do with agricultural grant aid system of the green pound characteristic high hedgerows enclosing country lanes and and later the common agricultural policy. the market for coppiced chestnut hop poles. The locally characteristic Oast Houses used to dry the hops have largely been converted into residential use and the yards and fields around them have become domestic gardens, or paddocks for ponies.

• The Kentish Low Weald is traversed by numerous narrow lanes with broad verges and ditches which are continuous with the drove roads of the North Downs. Used since ancient times to drive herds of pigs to ‘pannage’ or feeding on the acorns from the oak woodlands. Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 14 15 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Wealden Greensand

General Historical background Key characteristics

The long curving belt of Greensand runs across Kent parallel to the The soft Greensand is easily eroded and has resulted in the distinc- • Scarp / dip slope topography and extensive belts of ancient North Downs through Surrey and turns south to join the Hampshire tive sunken lanes cut deeply into the rock below the surrounding mixed woodland comprising hazel, oak and birch plus more Downs and turns east running parallel to the South Downs in West land. These lanes are of historic value and are typical of the land- recent coniferous plantations Sussex. The local character varies as a result of changes in local scape, with many still used in the modern road system. topography, soils and land use but is unified by the underlying • Large sections of winding Upper Greensand escarpment noted geology, its scarp / dip slope topography and distinctive spring- Surface water is an important feature. Streams drain off the dip for their steep ‘hanger’ woodlands with areas of remnant heath line settlements below the Downs. slope and there are many small quarries flooded and subsequently and wet heath covered by trees hiding them from distant views. There are extensive belts of woodland including ancient mixed • Settlements generally scattered villages and hamlets linked by woods and more recent coniferous plantations. In East Kent the The Wealden Greensand has been occupied since earliest times deep, overhanging, winding lanes with some small irregular Greensand is less distinctive than the dramatic wooded topography with finds in the Hampshire section dating back over 7000 years fields remnant of Saxon clearances of the west. East from Maidstone to Ashford the landscape is less to Palaeolithic and Neolithic times. wooded and does not give the impression of intimacy so prevalent • In East Surrey and Western Kent there are many wooded in the west, except where contained by shelterbelts and remaining Ragstone, a distinctive local soft stone has been mined from many commons, or ‘Charts’ with Oak/birch woodland hedgerows. The presence of the railway and motorway corridors in small quarries and in river valleys sand extraction has been a feature. the vale between the Greensand and North Downs scarp is strong. Rural buildings are typically tile hung timber frame or ragstone, or • In East Kent the Wealden Greensand has a gentler more The more open farming and heathy quality to the landscape are weather boarded timber frame. Many of the typical Greensand cot- open aspect and is more marked by development and typified by the agricultural land around Pluckley and the acid tages date from the 17th century or earlier. The ragstone becomes communications corridors grassland, light woodland and bogs of Hothfield Common. a tawny brown and is laid mainly in rubble courses. • Fruit growing is still a characteristic feature of Kent Orchards and Hop Gardens are particularly prevalent around Straight Roman roads radiate from Canterbury to Ashford, Lympe Greensand Maidstone, with associated high hedgerows or shelterbelts and and Maidstone, a contrast to the winding lanes of the west. The areas of chestnut coppice for hop poles, but closer to Ashford these advent of rail followed the grain of the landscape generally north • Older Deer parks and more recent 18th century parklands are are replaced by irregular arable fields. The south eastern extreme west to south east from London to Dover and led to the area distinctive features of the Wealden Greensand with extensive of the belt forms a scarp forming a sea cliff giving extensive views becoming a commuter belt of the City. The transport corridors views out over the Low Weald over Romney Marshes. Panoramic views south across the Low have been emphasised recently with the M20 and Channel Tunnel Weald are extensive from the Greensand ridge in general. Rail Link effectively bisecting the county. This area has been shown as a zone for reinforcement and new landscapes in the Kent Landscape Character Study 2004.

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 14 15 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Landscape context A Landscape of Layers: GEOLOGY

General Ashford and its immediate surroundings traverse bands of differing underlying sedimentary rocks of the Wealden Anticline - wealden clay, greensand, gault clay and chalk. The pH ranges from around neutral on clay, to acid on the greensand, and alkaline on the chalk. These bands of rock are then overlaid by alluvial deposits from the river network. There is an overlap of rocks, and this is seen most clearly where green sand emerges as ‘islands’ in the wealden clay forming local high spots - Goldwell, Great Chart, Singleton, Chilmington, Kingsnorth, and the Aldington Ridge. It is no coincidence that these higher, drier areas are also old settlements.

The landscape character, therefore, has local subtleties due to vegetation types typical of a given rock/soil type, and due to the proximity of these types, there is some mixing ( e.g. clematis a lime loving plant can be seen in hedgerows on the greensand ridge near Pluckley).

The low lying, poorly drained nature of the clay areas, coinciding with rivers gave rise to wet woodlands and afforestation by oaks which grow well on heavy soils. In time, the river areas became wooded pastures. Drainage is key to working the land so drainage dykes and ditches are a feature. The heavy soils were good for pasture, but not until the advent of field drainage assisted by government grant aid in the post war period was this particularly useful for arable crops. Marl, found in pockets was used to fertilize the fields leaving a pattern of flooded borrow pits. These ponds are a particular feature of the Beult catchment in the western section of the study area. Other ponds are located at spring heads and may be seasonal, their presence often heralded by willows or alders. Invasion of the Saxon population by Vikings and others led to moat defences to farmsteads and manors, many are still in evidence to day, the clay soils being ideal for retaining water.

The map opposite shows county landscape types outlined in black, some of which include different underlying rock types. The white divisions are the Landscape Description Units (LDUs) based on historic landscape types that were surveyed individually in this

Wealden Clay Greensand Gault Clay Lower Chalk Middle Chalk Upper Chalk

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 16 17 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Landscape context A Landscape of Layers: NATURAL AREAS

General There are eight natural areas in Kent. The Ashford study area crosses three ‘Natural Areas’: • Wealden Greensand • Low Weald • North Downs

In addition there are two adjacent natural areas to the south: • High Weald • Romney Marshes

Some of the County Landscape Areas within the Ashford study area cross natural areas including:

Low Weald / Wealden Greensand • Biddenden & High Halden Farmlands • Upper Stour Valley • Bethesden Farmlands • Aldington Ridge

Wealden Greensand / North Downs • Hollingbourne Vale East • Hollingbourne Vale • Wye – Stour Valley

It is the twilight zone between natural areas and land uses that provides the particular level of subtle changes of landscape character seen in the hinterland of the town.

Greater Thames Estuary High Weald London Basin Low Weald

North Downs North Kent Plain Romney Marshes Wealden Greensand

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 16 17 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Landscape context A Landscape of Layers: TOPOGRAPHY

General

The map opposite shows altitude at 50m intervals, emphasizing the predominantly low-lying nature of the study area. The higher areas correspond to the greensand and chalk and the gault clay.

Only one Country Landscape Area falling within the Ashford study area is entirely below the 50 metre contour - the eastern section of the Upper Stour Valley, followed by the greater part of the Bethesden Farmlands. The highest area is Hollingbourne Vale is at or above the 50m contour rising to over 140m on the Pilgrims Way north of Westwell, with the North Downs continuing to rise to 190m beyond the study area.

Elsewhere local high spots include: • Colliers Hill (74m) and Clap Hill (+80m) • Chilmington/Singleton Hill (+70m) • Goldwell (72m) • Mitchell Farm (+70m) • ButlersToll & Foxenhill Toll, Hothfield Common (+80m) • Balls Wood, Godinton (+85m) • Quarrington Wood (+75m) • Hinxhill (+70) • Mersham Ridge (+70m)

The Stour Gap, cutting northwards through the North Downs is thought to have formed when the river, then flowing from significantly higher ground, eroded the chalk. A similar former river route flowing north can be seen at Ide Hill on the greensand in West Kent. Here there is only a ‘nick-point’ indicating the former river valley as this is now the watershed between the Medway and Darenth river catchments.

Whilst the macro-topography provides the setting for Ashford and the distinctive kentish landscape of ridges, it is the meso and micro topography that provides the basis for the particular local landscape character, for example the sharp edges to the floodplain north of Ashford, or the sunken lanes in the greensand.

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 18 19 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Landscape context A Landscape of Layers: DRAINAGE

General

The study area sits mainly in the River Stour catchment, the great Stour and East Stour flowing generally parallel to, and on the southern side of, the Wealden Greensand ridge converging in the centre of Ashford and then flowing north. To the south west of the study area are the upper reaches of the river Beult which is part of the Medway catchment

The river Stour rises on the impervious Wealden Clay and streams draining the Wealden greensand ridge to the east and west of Ashford, passing through the Wealden Green sand at the centre of the town, and then through North Downs. At this point the character of the river changes to that of a ‘chalk stream’ where water temperatures are constrained by ground water from the chalk bedrock. The clay upper catchment means that the river is liable to rapid or ‘flashy’ responses to heavy weather events

Five ‘main rivers’ (Environment Agency terminology) pass through the town and have been subject to repeated flooding since the 1960s (Black and Veatch/EA Integrated Water Management Study 2004). Flood defences have been constructed across the flood plain near Hothfield to attenuate peak flows from the Great Stour, and near Aldington to do the same to the East Stour and so alleviate flood risk in the floodplains passing through the town. In the autumn of 2000, three heavy rain events within three weeks led to these flood barriers being overtopped because the intervening period between storms had been insufficient to drain the temporary reservoirs formed behind the flood barriers. This led to the worst floods in Kent since 1927. If one considers the significant loss of hedges and change of use from cattle pasture to either sheep pasture or drained arable land in this catchment, along with, presumably a net work of ditches and ponds, it may not be surprising that the rise in flood events seem to coincide to when the grain of the land was altered by modern farming techniques. Furthermore, many of these same areas have been shown in the county landscape strategy as having lost much of their former character and have been designated areas for new or restored landscapes. Natural processes and the over arching

Based on an OS Map Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO License No LA077038 © Crown copyright. function of the landscape, along with climate change should inform All rights reserved. any improvements. Water Courses Natural Flood Plain Contours

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 18 19 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Landscape context A Landscape of Layers: HISTORIC LANDSCAPE CHARACTER

General

Historic landscape characterisation involves recognising the ways in which the present physical landscape reflects how people have exploited, changed and adapted to the physical environment through time, with respect to different social, economic, technological and cultural factors. In 2001 KCC and English Heritage published the ‘Kent Historic Landscape Characterisation’ carried out by the Oxford Archeological Unit (OAU) that defined a total of 87 Historic Landscape Types (HLTs) within 14 broad categories in Kent. We used these HLTs to define our landscape description units as a basis for the field work at the heart of this study.

Within our study area there are nine broad categories out of the fourteen found in the county as a whole. A few areas should have different designations now - i.e. a large tree nursery near Hothfield now occupies ‘Prairie fields’ and arguably the M20 and CTRL corridors should be designated under (13.0) Inland Communication Facilities. A total of 29 historic landscape sub-types, or one third of all the categories found in Kent can be found in the immediate hinterland of Ashford

• (1.0) Field Patterns - 10 of 17 types • (2.0) Commons - 1of 5 types • (3.0) Horticulture - 1 of 6 types • (4.0) Woodland - 6 of 9 types • (7.0) Valley Floor & Water Management 3 of 8 types • (9.0) Settlements 3 of 9 types • (10.0) Parkland & Designed Landscape 1 of 3 types • (11.0) Recreation - 2 of 3 types • (12.0) Extractive & other industry 2 0f 3 types

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 20 21 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Landscape context A Landscape of Layers: COUNTY LANDSCAPE AREAS

General

There are 150 County Landscape Areas described in the Landscape Assessment of Kent. Fourteen of these fall entirely or partly within the study area which covers around one hundred square kilometers including:

• Bethersden Farmlands (approx 40%) • Biddenden & High Halden Wooded Farmlands (+/-20%) • Beult Valley (<5%) • Upper Stour Valley (>90%) • Hothfield Heathy Farmlands (+/-40%) • Hollingbourne Vale (+/-25%) • Stour Gap (+/- 75%) • The Stour - Stour Valley (100%) • The Stour - Wye Stour Valley (<5%) • Brabourne Vale (+/-40%) • Brabourne Lees Mixed Farmlands (+/-80%) • Mersham Farmlands (+/-80%) • Aldington Ridge (+/-25%) • Old Romney Wooded Farmlands (+/-30%)

In addition, a further three country areas border the study area: • Hollingbourne Vale - East • Challock - Mid Kent Downs • Hampton Stour Valley

This provides an example of the subtly diverse landscape characters with about three kilometres of the current town limits. The 250 plus Landscape Description Units investigated in this study were based on the historic landscape character parcels and then grouped into 58 larger areas we have termed District Landscape Types. During this exhaustive process we felt that the boundaries of the county areas needed to be altered on a parcel basis to better reflect the overall county type as we understood them. These changes are shown and the rationale for the amendments described in the supporting data reports for this Ashford Landscape Character Assessment.

General

The plan opposite is based on the MAFF Agricultural Land Quality map of 1957 and reprinted in 1964. The map has not been updated, but the designation of grade 3 has now been split between grade 3a, which along with grades 1 and 2 is considered to be a nationally important resource, and grade 3b which is not. Non agricultural land is generally woodland, but also includes mineral workings and recreational space.

There is a clear north south divide between land of higher agricultural quality on the Greensand Ridge and in Stour Gap, and low values to the south. This coincides with the heavy wealden clay to the south of the town, which is fine for woodland and livestock. Farm improvement in the post War era have meant that the land has been drained to support intensive arable cropping

Since the early 1960s, the town has grown considerably. New areas to the south have been on grade 3 land, but extensions around Kennington have been at the expense of grade 1 land.

Agricultural land quality is linked to landscape character insofar as the higher grades relate not only to fertility and workability of the soil, but also ease of use of the land. It is not surprising, therefore, that the best agricultural land for arable crops also coincides with large fields easily worked by large machines.

Grade 1 Grade 3 Non Agricultural Area

Grade 2 Grade 4 Urban Area 1968 Urban Area Today

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Landscape Designations The North Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is the back drop to this landscape, and provides the high points from which the study area can be seen. Godinton Park is a Special Landscape Area

Built Heritage Designations There are twelve conservation areas in the study area that are essentially the historic centre of settlements. These have been assessed in this study outside Ashford. The scattered settlements are typical of kentish settlements generally.

The area as a whole has a rich history, but there is little easily recognizable evidence of settlements due to the soils and materials used for the construction of older dwellings and settlements. Archeological digs have so far unearthed evidence of a Roman settlement and earlier bronze Age settlement to the south of the town. There may well be additional sites yet to be discovered. It is significant that two Roman Roads cross the study area, and in the north there is the Pilgrims Way which may have been part of a pre historic human trackway dating back to the time of the land bridge to northern France.

Historic features abound, although they may not be designated. These include a number of moats, woodland boundary banks, a former hammer pond at Eastwell, mill ponds and mill races, green lanes, sunken/hollow lanes and old woodlands. This survey has not looked at hedgerows in detail, but it is likely that there are ancient hedgerows. The county as a whole was not affected greatly by the parliamentary enclosures seen in the midlands, so many field boundaries may date back to medieval times. A rule of thumb aging of hedges relates the number of woody species found in a 100m stretch to the number of centuries that field boundary has been present. It was clear to us that there were many hedges in which a large number of species were present in a short stretch, particularly those associated with lanes.

Based on an OS Map Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO License No LA077038 © Crown copyright. There are a large number of listed buildings in the area using a All rights reserved. variety of locally sourced materials. The distinctive orange brown tiles with either brick, timber or ragstone is an important ingredient AONB Conservation Areas Archaelogical Sites to the local distinctiveness of the study area. Godington Park Listed Buildings Roman Roads

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Kent Habitat Survey

The 2003 Kent Habitat Survey reproduced in part opposite shows the preponderance of arable or improved grassland around the town and improved amenity grassland within it. Habitats of note in the study area that are European and Biodiversity Action plan priority habitats include: • Lowland Hay Meadows (e.g. near Bromley Green/Singleton Chilmington/the Warren/ Willsborough Dykes) • European dry heaths (e.g. Hothfield Common / Hatch Park) • Reedbeds/Fens (e.g. Hothfield Common / Julie Rose / Hatch Park) • Wet Woodland / Residual Alluvial Forests / Oak-Hornbeam Forests / Lowland Beech and Yew Forests (e.g. Woods north of Godinton / Hoads Wood / Old Romney Shoreline Woods / Hinxhill / Hatch Park)

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 24 25 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Landscape context A Landscape of Layers: ECOLOGICAL DESIGNATIONS

General

The highest designation in the study area is Site of Special Scientific interest (SSSI): • Hothfield Common • Hoads Wood • Hatch Park

The County designation Site of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI) include woodlands, acid grassland, riverine margins and wet grazing. Examples include: • Old Saxon Shoreline Woods and the Warren (woodlands) • Eureka Business Park (remnants of Acid Grassland) • The Great Stour, East Stour and Stour (riverine margins) • Willsborough Dykes (wet grazing)

There in addition some Woodland Trust Sites in the Old Saxon Shoreline woods, and the newly created Millennium Wood near Singleton.

SSSI SNCI Woodland Trust Sites Other Protected Sites (2000 ABLP) Millennium Woodland

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 24 25 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Landscape context Landcover Changes

The Kent Landcover study highlights significant changes to the rural scene between 1961 and 1999. The mapping from KCC opposite shows landcover by 1x1 km tetrads.

Generally in the Greensand there has been a loss of heath, and existing open heathland commons, such as Hothfield, are being compromised by encroaching birch scrub, oak and pine due to the reduction in traditional land husbandry. Some landscape managers have suggested the reintroduction of grazing as a more sustainable way of managing these heaths (such as use of Dexter Cattle), but in built up areas this has often been objected to by residents. Eventually, the encroachment of climax woodland cover will obscure views from the tops of hills.

There has been neglect of traditional woodland coppice, fruit orchards and hedgerows. The market for coppice wood has declined, but new markets are possible for both biofuels, fencing and building cladding, and these may provide the catalyst for main- taining this distinctive landscape. Traditionally managed orchards have largely disappeared with the introduction of dwarf fruit tree varieties, and most Hop gardens have disappeared with drinkers choosing pilsner lager and alcopops instead of traditional English beers. The consequence has been the loss of the distinctive high hedgerows needed to shelter these crops. In the last 50 years, agriculture has also become more mechanised leading to a loss of hedgerows which reached its peak in the 1970s. Remnants of hedges can be seen in lines of hedgerow trees without hedges crossing large arable fields.

The Great Storm of 1987, caused significant loss of large trees, but in the intervening period there has been significant regenera- tion. It is important to note that predicted climate change is likely to increase the incidence of severe storm events and this may have a significant impact on exposed areas, suggesting a need to reinforce weakened features through planting and appropriate management. This is particularly so in many historic designated parklands.

There has been a general degradation of major river-floodplain landscapes in the Greensand due to mineral extraction and changes in agriculture. This is an essential feature of the landscape east of Ashford. 1961 Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 26 27 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Arable

Grassland

Grassland & Scrub

Orchard and Hop

Scrub

Woodland

Urban

Roads

Rivers, Standding Open Water & Wetland

Coastline

Each square represents one hectar (100m x 100m) Source: KCC County Landcover Survey leaflet

1999 Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 26 27 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Landscape context A Landscape of Layers: Time Depth in Historic Character

The KCC / English Heritage Historic Landscape Characterisation report incorporates some definite chronological thresholds and typological distinctions to provide some broad patterns illustrating the development of the Kent Landscape. The mapping opposite from that report do not represent a picture of the landscape at any particular period but show areas that may potentially contain identifiable remains of early landscape characteristics. This may be important when considering the means to conserve a landscape, or at least to be aware of the living cultural heritage that could be lost for ever.

The first map shows those features that are most likely to retain morphological attributes characteristic of changes and developments that may have occurred in the medieval and early post medieval period even though much of the detail such as individual houses in settlements and trees in woods are likely to be more recent. Intensive agriculture and urban expansion have had a negative impact on the survival of these features.

The central map shows areas added to the post medieval map that are mostly likely to retain attributes or morphological traits characteristic of changes in the centuries between the post medieval period and the start of the nineteenth century. The overall pattern reinforces the view that much of the Kent landscape has potentially early origins for its basic form and character, although significant elements of it have been radically altered from the late nineteenth century to the present day.

The last map adds features to the early 19th century map to show areas likely Time Depth to post Medieval Period to retain those attributes or changes that took place in the nineteenth century, but excluding the post 1801 urban development, much of which occurred in the twentieth century.

Of interest in this study area is coppice woodland - an ancient craft still practised in the modern landscape and with modern applications. Although few new coppices were planted in the last 100 years, it is possible that areas of coppice were planted or converted from woodland in the last two centuries; however it was assumed that all coppice is early in date.

Overall Kent is an ancient landscape. Elements of the southern part of the county have undergone slow and gradual change since the establishment of permanent settlement. There is a deep and complex time depth to this landscape which needs to be considered in landscape and conservation management policies, and ought to be reflected in new and restored landscapes.

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 28 29 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Time Depth to early 19th century Time Depth to late 19th century

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 28 29 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Landscape context A Landscape of Layers: Landscape detail lost since 1871

Field Boundaries, Woods, Orchards

The Landscape is ever changing and reflects the economy, agricultural subsidies, leisure activities, infrastructure and so on. Significant changes occurred following the end of the Second World War with the mechanisation of agriculture and subsidies aimed at increasing yields. The first Ordinance Survey maps of the area date from 1871, and these show a greater level of detail in the landscape - smaller fields, more woodland, more orchards. The distribution of oast houses in the study area, built as round kilns and so dating from between 1830 and 1890, suggest that hops were also grown as a cash crop for a period too.

The OS maps do not show what type of field boundaries there were, although lone, often stag headed, hedgerow trees present in large arable fields suggest hedgerows. Hedges needed for hop gardens and orchards were maintained as high wind breaks to protect crops. These hedges gave a distinctive quality to even level areas of landscape, restricting long views. Such management also affected the ecology of the hedgerows. This grain was lost when hedges were removed post 1960, or reduced in height. The map opposite illustrates the loss of detail and the opening up of the landscape.

It is certain that damp areas were drained and ponds filled in; some field boundaries and spinneys in the floodplain have also made way for drained arable land. Together these actions have not only erased the grain of the landscape, but also the capacity of the land to deal with natural forces - reducing surface water run off during winter, and retaining moisture during dry summers for example. The new Rural Development Service Environmental Stewardship programme provides an opportunity to address adverse changes in the rural scene.

Woodlands – 1871/72 Orchards – 1871/1872 Orchards – 1907/1908 Hedgerows lost since 1870’s Ashford urban areas

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 30 31 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Landscape context A Landscape of Layers: Evidence of hedgerow elms

General

Elms were a significant feature in the lowland English farmed landscape for centuries. Introduced from a single source by the Romans, the genetically similar makeup of all elms made them particularly susceptible to the ravages of the Dutch Elm disease in the 1960s and early 1970s which effectively wiped out this major landscape feature. Elms were not found in woodlands as far as we know as they were a planted tree, the timber being very durable when in contact with water. Today we see elms as young trees that have suckered up from ancient roots and which live to about 20 years before falling prey for the disease leaving stark twigs in an other wise verdant summer landscape. During our field work we looked for evidence of elms in hedgerows where they survive well and the sand paper textured leaved are displayed in distinctive zig zag fronds against the sky. Nearly the whole area has some evidence of elm in the hedge rows, although some areas had more than others. Often these hedgerow trees were not replaced when they died and so point to a loss in the landscape grain of the area.

Evidence of Elm No Elms Ashford urban areas

General

The KCC / Babtie Landscape Character Assessment of Kent divided the county into 150 landscape areas that displayed similar characteristics. These areas were assessed fro their sensitivity in the same way that we have assessed smaller parcels within those county areas for this study. The result was a landscape strategy map. Very little of the landscape around Ashford was judged to be worthy solely of conservation, the notable exception being Hothfield Common. Areas to the south, and the farmland east of Hinxhill was given a ‘conserve and restore’ rating. Great swathes running through the town roughly along the Wealden Greensand ridge, plus the southern slopes of the Downs were considered to have lost much of their essential characteristics and were given either a ‘create’ rating - particularly in the zone occupied by the major national transport infrastructure of the M20 and CTRL corridors, or a ‘restore and create’ designation. These broad categories were applied for the whole of the county areas as an average. In our study , because we looked at a finer grain and smaller parcels of land, and because generally only part of the country type fell within the study area, we added a more detailed assessment. These have been summarized in this document and are more fully recorded in the accompanying supplementary data sets for each country type falling in the Ashford study area.

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 32 33 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Landscape context A Landscape of Layers: KENT LIFESCAPES STUDY (K-LIS)

General

The Low Weald is a broad, low-lying, clay vale surrounding the High Weald, the oldest and highest part of the Wealden anticline, on t effect on the characteristic high hedgerows enclosing country

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 32 33 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 34 35 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Section 3 Appreciation of character

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 34 35 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Appreciation of character Detail and Delight In examining the components of the landscape of the Low Weald a The character of the rural scene is more than the topography, Not everyone is alive to the detail as were writers such as Edmund key aspect is the composition of spatial volumes created between field size, enclosure for at a more detailed level the natural plant Blunden or HE Bates who were so inspired by this particular blocks of woodlands, green tunnels, or by hedges and shaws. communities and the way they are managed have a significant landscape, but it is important to seek out the landscape ‘signatures’ Whether experiencing the landscape at a leisurely pace on foot impact on the experience of the countryside. Soils and drainage so that strategies can be put forward to reinforce existing qualities, when the greatest detail can be appreciated, or slightly faster on influence plant communities in the first place, and this is modified or to extend or recreate them in the context of urban expansion bicycle or horseback when the sequence of spaces and layers by land husbandry and the human hand. In the following section around Ashford. of hedges can appear like stage scenery ‘flats’, or at the modern the different plant communities that form a palette of colours and pace by car, time is an important component of the experience. textures from which the rural scene is composed are described in aesthetic terms rather than a strictly geographical or ecological way since this is how most people experience the countryside.

Green tunnel experienced by car The play of light and shade on a woodland walk A vole emerges from the hedgerow

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 36 37 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 36 37 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 The poetics of landscape

‘How beautiful through April time and May The woods look, filled with wild anemones! And every little spinney now looks gay With flowers mid brushwood and the huge oak trees.’ J Clare 1850 about the wood anemone

‘The every lawn, the wood, and spinney through, Mid creeping moss and ivy’s darker green; How much thy presence beautifies the ground: How sweet thy modest, unaffected pride Glows on the sunny bank, and wood’s warm side’ J Clare 1820 about the primrose ‘The poplars are felled; farewell to the shade And the whispering sound of the cool colonnade The winds play no longer and sing in the leaves.’ W Cowper 1785

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 38 39 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 ‘Wind shakes the big poplar, quicksilvering The whole tree in a single sweep. What bright scale fell and left this needle quivering? What loaded balances have come to grief?’ S. Heaney 1996

‘There is a Flower, the Lesser Celandine That shrinks, like many more, from cold and rain And, the first moment that the sun may shine, Bright as the sun himself, ‘tis out again.’ W Wordsworth 1803 ‘Loneliest of trees, the winter oak Still leafy here in bald November’ T Lynch 1998

‘A bouquet for my fifties, these followers without leaves Like easter snow, hailstones clustering at dayligone - From the difficult thicket a walking stick in the bloom, then Astringency, the blackthorn and its smokey plum. M Longley 2000

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 38 39 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Appreciation of character Seasonal Changes There is a succession of colour in hedges starting, where present the showiest autumn colour of translucent butter yellow, which for white flowers on soft green foliage, followed immediately by the with the yellow catkins of the hazel in January and February, a while starts to light up the shady lanes, and this is follwed by the Wood Anenome Anenome blanda carpets the area in delicate followed by the silver down and golden haze of the Pussy Willow in dark red and dull purple of Dogwood, where present, leaving red white flowers on soft green foliage, followed immediately by March, by which time the Blackthorn produces prodigious clouds twigs in winter. carpets of Bluebells Endymion non-scriptus which start as deep of white blossom before the leaves break bud. blues becoming lighter as the weeks pass, and with the flowers, At verge and ditch level another seasonal succession of detail is a strong perfume from this wild hyacinth. By contrast in damper Hawthorn, also known as May because of the timing of its flowers played out that should be seen in the context of the woodland areas, the strap like glossy leaves of Ramsons or Wild Garlic Allium follows. Guelder Rose flat white blooms appear briefly in late May floor in early spring. Together they are one of the glories of the Low ursinum with showy drifts of white flowers gives a pungent scent as do the less significant Dogwood flowers in early June followed Wealden Landscape, and rely to a great extent on the management that hangs heavy in wooded hollows. Where coppice has been by the white Field Rose and pink Dog Rose. The link to autumn of this landscape, such as the timing of verge cutting and the managed, there are flashes of pink and purple from the tall flower commences in August with the Haws on the Hawthorn turning maintenance of the coppice rotation. spikes of Foxglove Digitalis purpurea and Rosebay Willowherb red and Sloes of the Blackthorn starting to turn dark blue with a Epilobium angustifolium which take advantage of the flood of light characteristic glaucous bloom, along with the red then black fruits During May in woodlands, and along hedges and shaws that are to the woodland floor for the early years of the coppice regrowth. of the blackberry Rubus fruiticosa, and the translucent red berries remnants of woodlands, ‘indicator species’ of ancient woodlands, of the Guelder Rose and the Wood Bryony. The Field Maple has the Wood Anenome Anenome blanda carpets the area in delicate

WINTER EARLY SPRING MARCH EARLY APRIL LATE APRIL MAY JUNE SEPTEMBER orange willow twigs...... alder catkins & cones.....silver/gold/green willow.....celendine in verges....anenome woodland carpet...primrose on banks....bluebell woodland carpet.....reeking ransomes...... orchard apples,woodland cherries....hawthorn...cowparsley lined lanes....yellow flag/silver willows....honeysuckle starts...wild rose over so quickly.....bullaces, hips, haws, guelder rose berries

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 40 41 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Damp ditch locations are favoured by Milk Maid or Cuckoo Flower In late April and early May, rapid progress is made by Cow Parsley Cardamine pratensis which emerge in small pale pink colonies and Anthriscus sylvestris attaining over a metre in height within 2-3 primrose Primula vulgare and the shiny yellow flowers of Lesser weeks and a very light, lacy foam of flowers bring light to the rap- Celandine Ranunculus ficaria. In April the small white starlike flow- idly darkening lanes. As the tree canopy becomes denser during ers of Lesser Stitchwort Stellaria graminea emerge at the base of May and June there are fewer verge flowers in contrast to the open hedges along with Violets Viola spp. and Ragged Robin Lychnis lanes. flos-cuculi. About this time is a two week period when Dandelions reach there flowering peak on the drier verges along roadsides The darkening mass of oak foliage is leavened in spring by Bird before becoming grey ‘dandelion clocks’. Cherry Prunus avium in flower. Cherry colours up well in autumn often in orange and purple tints. More rarely, the rich red and orange colouring of the Chequer Tree Sorbus torminalis is an occasional highlight of woodland edges; this uncommon tree is only native to the south east of England.

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 40 41 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Appreciation of character Quality of Place As much of the area is wooded, and country lanes tend to have the shaded lanes. Narrow lanes with broad verges, ditches and Wealden Clay is heavy, poorly drained and nutrient poor, and is high hedges, and long views within the area are often restricted to hedges, are a remnant of the drove roads used to drives swine used mainly for pasture. Much of this grassland has been improved panoramas from surrounding high ground. These elevated areas, to pannage (feeding on acorns in oak woodlands) in autumn. As with the consequent loss of the diverse meadow flower species still particularly the North Downs around Ashford, and the Greensand the area was wet, these trackways were also wide to allow horse common in the 1960s. The clay has been the basis of a thriving around Pluckley also form an important backdrop. A typical drawn vehicles to avoid boggy areas. brick and tile industry, the closest to Ashford being at Pluckley, feature of many roads and lanes are over-arching trees forming where there is a large clay pit adjacent to the railway. green tunnels of foliage often quite dark in the height of summer. A notable variation to the Low Weald character is the urban sprawl Hedges and lower branches trimmed by frequent traffic give a on the low-lying, more open land around Gatwick Airport. There The damp clay soils have produced a rich verdant landscape manicured effect, whereas byways have a softer, looser bucolic are similarities, on a smaller scale, with this area and the open, level which contrasts with the warm orange-red of the bricks and quality. As a consequence of the tight landscape where, often, only land south of Ashford which has been designated for that town’s peg tiles produced from the local clay or white painted weather small patches of sky can be seen, small settlements are often well growth in RPG 9. Here vast prarie fields have been created by the boarding on many of the timber framed houses in this part of Kent. hidden and the countryside has a remote quality where it is far from removal of filed boundaries. A similar degraded landscape can be Traditional barns tend to have hipped gables and creosote treated main roads and railways. seen in the Willsborough Dykes where canalisation fo the river, weather boarding. Oast houses with their distinctive conical roofs levees and poor grazing are further compromised by elevated, and white cowls, often in groups of two or three provided a very Notwithstanding the enclosed character of many roads and lanes, noisy ring roads. This forlorn area contrasts with the richness of the typical vertical accent. Although hop growing was never a major gateways, often set back from the road allow framed views of the floodplain at Bybrook, or even areas near Captain’s Wood. concern here, there are oast houses the hark back the heyday of the countryside, often made more dramatic in the context of hop gardens in Kent at the end of the Victorian era.

Mock Lane at Chilmington contrasts with the vast agro-industrial plain south of Ashford with dying reminders of what had articulated this landscape...... undulating grazing at Colliers Hill rolling fields at Sevington contrast with the floodplain & river near Bybrook, or the farmed floodplain near Captains Wood, which are richer than the canalised river in the Willsborough Dykes .

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 42 43 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 The variety of habitats and the inter-connectedness of landscape The tranquility of the landscape is also a vital factor. The Overall, the combination between the visual, aural, and olfactory features means that the area has a high nature conservation value. Countryside Agency and CPRE produced a tranquility map of senses, an appreciation of cultural history of the landscape and Where these elements have been removed through intensive England in 1996 showing the marked difference between the early the cultural heritage of buildings and other features with a seasonal arable farming there is a corresponding loss in the landscape 1960s and the early 1990s. A tranquil area was defined as being timescale, add up to the quality of place and placedness which can character and wildlife value. The K-LIS project points to areas that 4 kilometres from the largest power stations, 3km from the most be appreciated at different levels depending on the speed at which could form a strategic enhancement of this resource. Bird song highly trafficked roads, large towns and industrial areas, 2km from these qualities are perceived. and butterflies in summer may be an ephemeral aspect of the motorways and major trunk roads, 1km from medium disturbance landscape character, but it is an important one that has suffered roads (approximately 10 000 vehicles per day) and some main line in the last 30 years. Although not a permanent physical feature, railways. A tranquil area also lies beyond military and civil airport the sound of birds is always present, if not as ‘loud’ as in the noise. In the Ashford context this is a key consideration, as the recent past due to the fall in populations of birds, formerly quite M20 and CTRL as well as the elevated ring roads through the common. This is the link between assessing landscape character Willsborough Dykes affect adjacent areas significantly. Much of the and peoples’ appreciation of rural qualities and more scientific M20 is in a deep cutting through Ashford limiting its effect, but the assessment of natural processes and habitats. combination of heavy use and elevated status of the ring road and Romney Marsh Road with the open nature or the Willsborough Dykes unrelieved by vegetation means that the sound carries to the detriment of enjoying the area.

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 42 43 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 44 45 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Section 4 Landscape Signatures

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 44 45 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Landscape signatures WOODLANDS Ashford District is the contains has the largest cover of woodland Large coppice stools and boundary woodland banks and ditches shiny leaves casting a heavy shade. In spring many of these wood- in Kent. Woodland cover varies according to the original level of are characteristic. Oak is the main component of Low Wealden lands have a ground cover of white wood anenomes followed forest clearance for agriculture and subsequent silvicultural hus- woodland, often with an understorey of Hazel coppice (although shortly after by carpets of bluebells before the canopy closes for bandry. The tree lined hedges which link small copses and wood- there is little in the study area), a form of management known as the summer. These are ancient woodland indicator species and lands enhance the wooded character of the area. Many of the coppice with standards, this also extends in some places to the show that the area has been maintained as woodland for many woodlands are ‘ancient’ i.e. undisturbed since pre-1600. husbandry of Sweet Chestnut as well. In areas where there is base centuries. Chestnut produces a tight sheaf of stout timbers from rich soil overlying limestone outcrops there is Ash, Field Maple and the coppice stool, in constrast to the slower growing, denser horn- The Kent Habitat Survey does not give much detail on woodland Hazel. Birch, a short lived pioneer species, often invades older beam, which appear more spindly. the hoen beam has a smaller, types, yet, as can be seen on this page, there is a great variety of coppices and acid grassland on the Greensand like Hothfield more translucent leaf creating a green haze above dark stems woodland types around Ashford. The character of the woodland Common. Goat Willow, Hawthorn and Holly are often the shrub and a russet woodland floor of leaves, similar to a beechwood. changes by the season, and from outside to inside. Woodland species associated with woodland edge conditions. We found some oak coppice, which is much rarer and perhaps blocks contain landscape spaces in the lowland creating edges if not typical. In wet flushes, particularly north of Hatch Park there different textures and hues, there are different responses to breezes Much of the woodland around Ashford has been managed as cop- is Alder coppice. Alder, like chestnut, grows rapidly. the medium - poplars and willows shimmer, birches catch the light and reveal pice, but there is a difference in the quality of place and character sized leaves are dark green and cast a particular dappled shade. white trunks, whilst oaks are more solid and pines are much darker, between different coppice woods. most of the coppice is either Due to the damp nature of the land the understory has more ferna both these with greater difference of light and deep shade. Sweet Chestnut, a vigourously growing crop with large mid green dn rush in it,and the steam are more silvery in colour.

Broadleaf Woodland edge Plantation in winter Mixed Woodland edge Poplar shelterbelt stream side white willows Regenerating woodland Birch woodland

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 46 47 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 The range of woodland starts with regenerating woodland in which bright patches of foxgloves and rosebay willowherb. Finding new there is a preponderance of bramble scrub with trees fighting their markets for timber, especially as part of a zero carbon fuel policy way to the light. Light and airy birch woodland, anarchic verdant may provide the momentum needed to manage existing woods wet willow woods rampant with vegetation, to the stately cool oak and to plant new ones. woodlands in which small grassy glades provide welcome pools of light. Plantation woodland is generally less interesting, especially In wintertime there is a distinction too. Birch woodlands tend to serried ranks of pines, where all light is excluded form the wood- have a reddish brown tinge of fine twigs, Alder carrs and coppices land floor which become springy with carpets of pine needles. a fine tracery of twigs and little cones (strobili), Chestnut has lighter, fatter, more uniformly upright twigs compares to the fined detail Because so much woodland around Ashford is coppice wood. it of hornbeam, the often orange tinge of willows or the more craggy is also vital to recognise the cycle of woodland husbandry, even oak. though in recent decades this has slowed to almost a halt. The cycle allows some plants ot flourish until the canopy is too dense, It is important to recognise these distinctions, for they are essen- or as a consequence of disturbed soils. Newly coppice woodland tial ingredients of the specific landscape characters around the not only show off bluebells and anenomes, but may also sport town.

Birch woodland Oak coppice (rare) in Alder coppice (damp areas) Hornbeam coppice Chestnut coppice Damp Woodland - Willow flush Oak woodland interior autumn

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 46 47 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Landscape signatures

A PALETTE OF TREES A local adage relating to weather – Oak before Ash and we’re in Sweet chestnut is traditionally harvested on an 8-9 year rotation Oak form solid, stocky hedgerow trees in the main with typically for a splash; Ash before Oak and we’re in for a soak, has been giving a rhythm to the rural scene and opening up the wooded short trunks and heavy branches ending in a filigree of twigs, observed by this author as surprisingly true. In 2003 the buds of quality of the rural scene making carpets of white wood anemo- although in some areas they can grow to a great size. The summer the oak burst some weeks before the ash and the summer was nes followed by bluebells all the more telling. The light green, large foliage is especially heavy due to the dark mid-green, and relatively very dry, but in 2004 the reverse was true and august 2004 was shiny leaves have a translucent quality that is particularly attractive small size, of the leaves and their distribution throughout the crown one of the wettest summers on record! with sun shining through them. The late light yellow flower spikes of the tree. By contrast, the Ash has a more elegant trunk, often appearing in June giving a foaming appearance to chestnut cop- of a light silver colour, with ascending branches and fewer more Sweet Chestnut Castanea sativa, Hornbeam Carpinus betulus, and pices at a time when the oak woods have started to get a darker solid twigs. In winter this gives a very different tracery against the Hazel Corylus avellana, coppice is a regular feature. Hazel tends more solid feel. sky to that of the oak, and in summer the lighter green, pinnate, to be grown in association with Oak woodlands, but also features leaves which are mainly distributed on the outside of the crown widely in high hedgerows, the yellow catkins being the first sign of Hornbeam coppice is less common and grows more slowly. In give a light texture. In breezes, the lighter underside of the leaves spring, and the large ovate mid-green leaves contrasting with the common with Beech a notable feature of the hornbeam forest floor is clearly visible giving a shimmering quality. Ash has one of the finer texture of other hedgerow shrubs like Hawthorn Crataegus is the rich russet carpet of leaves and the relative absence of veg- shortest seasons in leaf, often amongst the last to burst into leaf monogyna and Blackthorn Prunus spinosa. etation. The leaves are small and light green and give a fine gauze and the first to colour up and drop leaves in autumn. A local adage relating to weather – Oak before Ash and we’re in for a splash; Ash before Oak and we’re in for a soak, has been

Mature oaks Stag head oak Veteran oak pollard Oak standards in coppice Veteran sweet chestnut Willow pollards

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 48 49 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 like quality to the canopy from late May onwards, contrasting with In damper areas and along riparian corridors, Willow and Alders Orchards were never a key landscape component around Ashford the clearly defined multiple stems. In late May - June they produce are commonplace. They have very different characters. The various itself, although there are remnants of an orchard near Sevington copious pale green, hop-like flowers which turn light brown by willow species tend to have light foliage ranging from the silver top and there is a greater intensity of orchards on the greensand nearer early august and bare wind borne seeds in early autumn. There is with white undersides of White Willow Salix alba which shimmers in to Pluckley and towards Smarden. Modern orchards use dwarf a fine example near Pluckley. breezes, to the yellowy green of Osier and Cricket Bat Willow Salix stock trees to facilitate harvesting, older apple, and especially viminalis and Salix alba var.caerulea and the rounded grey leaves cherry orchards used much taller trees, pruned in a characteristic In many places the Chestnut and Hornbeam coppice is a relic of of Goat Willow Salix Caprea. Winter stems tend to be light yellow manner giving a wide domed form. These orchards were often the Wealden industrial heritage of charcoal burning to fuel the iron or even orange. By contrast, alders have very sombre green foliage grazed by sheep to manage the grass. Tall hedges or low shelter and glass production of pre Industrial Revolution England. Shaws, with slightly glossy leaves giving a more solid appearance. Alders belts of grey alders or poplars are used to protect the orchard from linear woods that are remnants of the wildwood are another typical are frequently managed cut to a stool producing multiple stems. wind. feature, and combined with the tree lined hedgerows and small In winter the fine tracery of twigs and fruiting strobili (like small fir field patterns gives rise to a predominantly wooded quality to the cones) have a sculpted quality against the sky compared to willow landscape. scrub.

Alder Carr at a springhead Green tunnel through a hornbeam coppice Water side osiers and white willows Apple Orchard

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 48 49 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Landscape signatures

Landscape signatures HEDGES Hedgerows are frequently tall uncut hedges, lower square cut, or in places laid, containing mature trees such as Oak Quercus robur and Ash Fraxinus excelsior, with Field Maple Acer campestre and Holly Ilex aquifolium also appearing as smaller trees. Predominantly comprising thorn species Blackthorn or Sloe Prunus spinosa and Hawthorn Crataegus monogynya, some hedgerows have a great variety of species including Dogwood Cornus sanguinea, Guelder Rose Viburnum opulus, and Dog Rose Rosa canina. Woodland edge remnants such as Hazel and Field Maple are common, along with vestiges of English Elm Ulmus procera whose mature trees were wiped out by dutch elm diseases 30 years ago, but whose suckering stems may reach 4-5metres high before succumbing to disease. The number of species found in a hedge is frequently a sign of great age of these features. High uncut hedges frequently contain Pussy Willow Salix caprea. also known as Goat Willow.

Sunken lane with hedges Well maintained high and low hedges Hedgerow trees & poached hedge Relic hedgerow trees in enlarged Relic hedge with hedgerow trees and grassy verge arable field

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 50 51 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Newly laid hedge Remnant of laid hedge Hedge & Ditch High orchard hedge Ash hedgerow

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 50 51 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Landscape signatures THE PRODUCTIVE LANDSCAPE Early accounts of the Ashford landscape write of ‘Cows belly deep in buttercups’. There is little evidence of this today. Where there is grazing it tends to be for sheep. Cattle are raised at Chilmington and there are also rough pastures with horses. Otherwise this is mainly an arable landscape. Agricultural improvements over the last 4 decades have seen the removal of miles of hedges and filed boundaries and the filling of ponds giving large open landscapes that reflect the seasons - ploughed land the haze of shoots from new winter wheat, various hues of green depending on crops - oil seed rape, wheat for example. Then the ripening in summer to light gold followed by the fleck of straw on the soil after harvest. In many ways the arable landscape expresses the seasons more dramatically than the pastoral scene.

Arable field in winter Seed drill machinery Arable field in spring Arable field in summer

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 52 53 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Set-aside Sheep Pasture Paddocks Rush mire

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 52 53 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Landscape signatures Water in the landscape : RIVERINE The Low Weald is heavily dissected by rivers and streams with ponds frequently located in the edges of fields or in woodlands. Many are now apparently in the middle of large fields, suggesting the location of former field boundaries and hedgerows. Of these many are silted up or have moved to a willow carr climax, yet others have been filled in (example of Mr Wolverton’s land at Chilmington – formerly 5 ponds on site now gone). Some of these ponds are the result of past quarrying for clay to manufacture bricks, marl pits, or the early iron industry. Due to the impervious nature of the soils, much of the area is subject to localised flooding.

Mill Race Drainage Dyke Ditch in the floodplain Canalised river Great Stour at Singleton

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 54 55 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 The Ashford Green corridors north of the town centre open wetland near Bybrook The Stour flowing towards Wye

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 54 55 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Landscape signatures Water in the landscape : PONDS, MOATS & DYKES

Ponds take several forms - farm ponds with hard edges, hammer ponds used to power the hammers in the old irn industry, borrow pit ponds, woodland ponds and more recently the balancing pond. A feature of the Ashford area are the number of moats still extant, although many are forgotten as at Singleton. Lakes at Singleton and Julie Rose derived from workings and mature quickly.

Mill Race Drainage Dyke Ditch in the Floodplain Singleton Lake

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 56 57 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Woodland Pond at the Warren Modern Balancing Pond The Moat at Park Farm Farm Pond

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 56 57 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Landscape signatures Water in the landscape : WETLANDS Water, manifests itself as springs leading to wet flushes, bogs and The East and Great Stour converge int he centre of the town mores. Wet woodland is a feature of the Low Weald - alder or willow near the Station. The East Stour rising on more open ground, carr, both with distinct characteristics. Poplar groves in shallow and flowing through a broad floodplain, compared to the Great basins are enhanced by lush understory of damp species and Stour that flows through a more dissected landscape. The green water in winter. Some streams on the clay are seasonal and leave corridors through the town are as major asset with lush vegetation. only a stream bed as evidence (see woodland below). Working The river is broader north of the town in open intensively farmed water is seen at Swanton Mill and in Central Ashford as mill races, country. elsewhere the low lying ground in the floodplain has been drained with ditches and dykes. Some are wet all year round others marked by lush vegetation.

Wet Woodland Wet Poplar Grove Seasonal Woodland Stream Springhead Alder Carr Acid Mire

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 58 59 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Acid Bog Wetland Reed Beds Damp Meadow Wet Grazing

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 58 59 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Landscape signatures: vernacular building material colours

Buildings in the landscape

Bricks and tiles are the dominant building materials in hues of Caen oolitic limestone was also imported from Normandy and reds, yellows and browns. Tiles are typically used for those parts used for the finer details of church buildings such as the tracer- of the building that would be exposed to the elements. ies and finials.

Sandstones are used for building blocks or split into roof tiles. Wood was also an important building material, typically oak and Kentish Rag or Ragstone, a coarse textured brittle limestone is sweet chestnut used in the construction of half timbered build- irregularly bonded and rubbly. ings especially in the Wealden Area. These were often plastered over with wattle and daub or partly covered with huge tiles or re- The chalk of the North Downs was dressed and used for the fronted with brick. Where the timbers were left exposed lath and quoins of Norman churches and provided the durable flints that plaster was used sometimes with a brick nogging herringbone could be split or ‘flint-knapped’ and set into walls with the split infill. faces showing. Later flints were squared to reduce the amount of mortar necessary and improve strength. Weather boarding initially painted white or cream is characteristic of the Weald area which weathers to a distinctive silvery grey.

Ragstone Knapped Flints Brick Hung tlle wall Peg tile roof

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 60 61 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Peg tile roof Brick and tile Tile & untreated weatherboard Painted weatherboard Weathered creosote Weathered timber barn Timber frame+ render Timber frame + Brick and peg tiles treated weatherboard brick infil

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 60 61 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 62 63 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Section 5 Summary of Findings

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 62 63 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Based on an OS Map Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO License No LA077038 © Crown copyright. All rights reserved.

Based on an OS Map Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO License No LA077038 © Crown copyright. All rights reserved. Study Area & County Areas Study Area & Landscape Discription Units

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 64 65 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Based on an OS Map Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO Based on an OS Map Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO License No LA077038 © Crown copyright. License No LA077038 © Crown copyright. All rights reserved. All rights reserved. Study Area & District Types

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 64 65 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Distinctive Elements

(B1.7) Photograph courtesy of The Environment Agency

Throughout the study we have highlighted what we considered to be distinctive el≠ements in a given area. This is a purely subjective response, but made by the team and discussed in order to come to a consensus. The plan shows the distribution of these elements which range from tracts of countryside such as Hatch Park or Hothfield Common, functional elements such as the flood plain, green elements such as local high points or old lanes, or landmark buildings, often churches, but also oasts which are prominent. A selection of photos is shown here as an ex≠ample, more detail is shown in each landscape area report.

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 66 67 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 (C5.7) Great Chart Church (E37.5) (E16.14)

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 66 67 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Key Detractors

(B19.7) (A5.1)

Throughout the study we have highlighted what we con≠sidered to be detractors in a given area. This is subjective but rarely contentious. The Waterbrook Lorry Park is an intrusion into the floodplain and the floodlights are seen for miles around at night. The CTRL is a major infrastructure cut through the landscape, as is the M20. Because they are often in close proximity to each other, despite remedial planting this is a major scar that affects the ears as well as the eyes, for the aural impact affects the tranquillity of other attractive areas. Factories and old quarries with associated clutter of functional buildings or attracting dumping can be improved by a strong planting strategy which takes account of longer range views, and through management. The plan shows the distribution of these elements which are mainly infrastructure corridors. Where these elements are elevated in a level landsccape - such as the southern ring road the aural intrusion has a wider affect than the visual intrusion. A selection of photos is shown here as an example, more detail is shown in each landscape area report.

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 68 69 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 (E37.6) M20 North (B11) (D1.8) (E37.9)

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 68 69 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Assessment reinforce conserve conserve & reinforce

create & conserve & conserve reinforce create & restore

create restore & create restore

The assessments for each District Landscape type were subjective based on the assessors knowledge of the area and issues, but a series of criteria were used to guide these deliberations and a simple marking system from one to three was given to indicate high, medium or low values. The process of landscape assessment provides a robust meth≠odology based on current best practice.

The physical attributes of the landscape are considered in conjunction with the historical and cultural influences, nature conservation interests and landuse. These factors are analysed further in the field to determine the key characteristics, aesthetics, visual unity, ecological integrity, con≠dition of heritage features and impact of built development. The condi≠tion and sensitivity of each character area is then determined.

Condition describes the integrity and unity of the landscape such as its functional integrity and visual unity - for example an urban fringe with many detracting elements and loss of unifying features will be of poor condition.

Sensitivity of the landscape refers to its overall character and quality and the extent to which these factors will be tolerant of change in general.

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 70 71 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Capacity determines the ability of the landscape to accommodate the benefit of all the fieldwork data to hand, decided whether the change without causing loss of the essential character and local decisions were correct or needed to be adjusted. A consensus was distinc≠tiveness. Capacity will vary according to the type and arrived at for the whole study area. nature of change being proposed. The matrix forms taken in note form on site were written up, The matrix, shown opposite, combines condition and sensitivity again with reference to the field work. We feel this makes a robust which indicates the area’s ability to accommodate change and the process. The summaries of each County Landscape Area falling in appropri≠ate land management or use, and will assist in the overall the study area are presented in this report, the assessments for the policies or development that might be appropriate to a particular component District lLandscape Character Types are illustarted in area. separate report for each County Area.

These criteria included: visual unity, ecological integrity, condition of heritage features (e.g. hedges) and impact of built development. The Condition and Sensitivity matrix or nine outcomes used in the County Assessment was then used. The highest score would be a straight ‘conserve’, the lowest would be ‘create’ and in between, depending on existing condition and our view on the sensitivity of the area, were a variety of outcomes such as ‘restore’ or ‘reinforce’ and mixed areas of ‘restore and create’ or ‘conserve and reinforce’. The overall score from the on-site assessments would give a guide indi≠cating two or three possible choices. Whilst still on site these options were discussed and one choice made. A few days later the asses≠sors reconvened in the studio to look at all the assessments together marked on a plan, and examining each in turn, and with

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 70 71 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 72 73 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Section 6 Overview of Each Area

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 72 73 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Aldington Ridge

This county area follows the greensand ridge to the south east of Ashford at Clap Hill which affords panoramic views over Romney Marsh to Dungeness.

We have made some major adjustments to the Kent CLA boundary by including the area extending from Aldington Frith, north to Cheesemans Green and Captains Wood, and including Colliers Hill an outlier of greensand. The Roman Road continues to follow this higher ground and the enclosure pattern is more akin to the Aldington Ridge CLA than it is to the Old Romney Shoreline Wooded Farmlands.

Closest to Ashford is the area around Cheeseman’s Green with generally open, mainly flat arable land with cluster of farms around Cheeseman’s Green, small hamlet at South Stour and high hedge- Location of Aldington Ridge rows to lanes. Captain’s Wood, an ancient oak and ash woodland with some hornbeam coppice and associated semi-improved grassland is distinctive within the landscape. The ragstone, hung tile and shiplap buildings and lanes with high hedges contribute to the sense of place. Views are variable - to the north there are generally long distance views to Ashford fringe whereas to the south there are intermittent views to Colliers Hill and Aldington Ridge. reinforce conserve conserve & reinforce South of South Stour the arable farmland rises to distinctive knoll at Collier’s Hill and falls to the East Stour river at Swanton Mill. The large fields have lost hedgerows and are intensively farmed and treecover is limited to the hedgerows along the Roman Road and farmsteads and create & conserve conserve reinforce & create & restore pollarded willows at Swanton Mill.

Colliers Hill and the Roman Road give a distinctive feel and orientation to the area and a strong sense of place. From Colliers Hill there are create restore & restore panoramic views over greatly enlarged arable fields to the north to the create East Stour floodplain and to the south views towards the Old Saxon ridgeline and woodlands. The Roman Road extends along the ridge- Policy recommendation line with large arable fields and extensive views north to Mersham, west and north west to Ashford and the North Downs and south to Dungeness.

South of the Roman Road the farmland is a close grained landscape of gentle folds and sunken lanes contained with high hedges and trees which absorbs much of the development of Aldington Frith. The heart lies around the Frith Road/ Priory Road crossroads with a collection of traditional Kentish style buildings, with newer properties to the lanes and scattered farmsteads. The surroundings are mixed farmland with paddocks and hedges, and more open arable farmland. The sunken lanes, high hedges and traditional style ragstone, red brick and weather boarding buildings give distinctive character and strong sense of place. The rolling topography and high hedges restrict visibility and views are generally short and intermittent. Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 74 75 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 AR1 AR2 AR3 AR4 CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES

Landuse Farming Recreation Parkland Woodland Business Park Industry View northwest from Colliers Hill towards Cheeseman’s Green (A13.1) Topography Flat Gently undulating Rolling Steeply sloping Lakes/reinforce ponds Streams/ dykes

Vegetation cover Intact hedgerows Hedgerow trees Feature trees Evidence of hedgerow clearance Typical view from lane near Cheeseman’s Green towards Captain’s Wood (A10.3) Evidence of woodland loss

Farming type Predominantly arable Mixed farming Mainly pasture Wet meadows

Local vernacular Ragstone, pegtiles, ship lap Oast house

Visibility Open long distance Intermittent Local vernacular at South Stour Lane near Aldington Frith (A26.10) Restricted (A12.3)

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 74 75 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Bethersden Farmlands

This county area extends to the south west of Ashford covering the To the north of Bishop’s Wood is a gently undulating landscape areas around Great Chart, Chilmington Green, Shadoxhurst and of variable landuse and mixed character comprising mixed farm- Kingsnorth. land of arable and grazing, Broadhembury Holiday Park (cara- van park), Homelands Golf course, Old Stacians Cricket Club We have made some minor adjustments to the Kent CLA boundary recreation ground and a brick and tile depot and former iron by including part of the ridgeline rising to Goldwell, the open arable works. The diversity of landuse gives a piecemeal incoherent area to the south east of Chilmington Green which has more in com- feel to the overall landscape, and lack of distinctive character mon visually with the adjacent open arable landscape south west and the former tile works, now derelict is a local eyesore. of Magpie Hall Lane, and some minor changes to the boundary at Bishop’s Wood. Around Great Chart and Singleton there are gently sloping large fields of predominantly arable land with some pasture and Extending between Daniel’s Water, Chilmington Green and Long mixed use with horse paddocks, recreational areas and com- Length are large prairie style arable fields where hedgerow removal munity woodland. There are elevated views eastwards towards has been particularly marked especially around Chilmington Green. Ashford. The land rises along the greensand outlier of Mock Lane The isolated former coppice woodlands of Purchase Wood, Willow which is well vegetated and sunken in part giving elevated views Wood, Bayley Wood and Coleman’s Kitchen Wood are prominent southwards towards Chilmington Green. The area comprises a Location of Bethersden Farmlands features in the open landscape, likewise the pollarded willows near working gravel/ sand quarry, travellers site (with dumping) and Great Chilmington and the ‘green tunnel’ of Long Length with mature former landfill site (now grazed by horses). Coleman’s Kitchen hedges are distinctive. Associated with the scattered farmsteads Wood to the south is a distinctive hornbeam/ hazel coppice on around Purchase Farm and bungalows along Sandy Lane are small- an outlying knoll of greensand. er scale paddocks with grazing and evergreen/ poplar tree belts, in addition to small business enterprises. To the north west of Great Chart the land gently rises to the ridgeline and prominent knoll with oast at Goldwell. The large To the north of Shadoxhurst and south of Magpie Hall Lane the land arable fields are intensively farmed and hedgerows have been is farmed less intensively with small to medium sized pasture, pad- removed giving extensive views. reinforce conserve conserve & reinforce docks and arable fields with generally strong hedgerows and mosaic of scattered woodlands such as Coldblow Wood and Coxland Wood comprising oak/ ash woodland and former hornbeam coppice. The rich mix of woodland blocks and associated ponds within the farmed create & conserve conserve landscape provides a good network of semi-natural habitats, includ- reinforce & create & restore ing an old byway to the north of Coxland Wood and creates a distinctive intimate and timeless character. There is a fine oast at Criol Farm. create restore & restore create To the east of Ashford Road and to the south of Kingsnorth the undulating mixed farmland is dotted with many hornbeam cop- Policy recommendation pice woodlands such as Isaac Wood, Park Wood, Stumble Wood, Sticket Wood and Park Lane Wood. The area between Park Farm and Kingsnorth is designated as a country park with new planting and pond. The urban fringe of Ashford is visible to the north and the oast at Finn farm is locally prominent. The mix of gently undulating topography, farmed landscape and woodlands gives the area some sense of continuity over time, especially to the east which is smaller in scale, although the sense of place is somewhat eroded by the loss of field boundaries and larger arable fields, and especially to the north around Park Farm.

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 76 77 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 76 77 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Prairie style fields to southeast of Chilmington Green looking along the Greensand Way to Mixed farming to south of Magpie Hall Lane near Stubb’s Cross with strong hedgerows Long Length in the far distance (E33.1) and woodland blocks (C29.1)

View north towards Chilmington Green Farm and Coleman’s Kitchen Wood on the knoll (E39.1) Arable fields rising towards Goldwell knoll (E12.1main)

Lane near Purchase Farm to the north of Court Yard Farm and open arable fields View southwest from Mock Lane (E31a.3) View down Long Length (C5.1) Purchase Wood (E15.1) to the south of Daniel’s Water (C29.2)

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 78 79 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 BF1 BF2 BF3 BF4 BF5 BF6 BF7 BF8 BF9 BF10 BF11 CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES

Landuse Farming Recreation Parkland Woodland Business Park Industry

Topography Flat Gently undulating Rolling Steeply sloping Lakes/reinforce ponds Streams/ dykes

Vegetation cover Intact hedgerows Hedgerow trees Feature trees Evidence of hedgerow clearance Evidence of woodland loss

Farming type Predominantly arable Mixed farming Mainly pasture Wet meadows

Local vernacular Ragstone, pegtiles, ship lap Oast house

Visibility Open long distance Intermittent Restricted

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 78 79 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Biddenden High Halden Wooded Farmlands

This county area extends northwards from Daniels Water to the west of Ashford within the Beult Valley. The railway line cuts through the northern sector.

We have made some minor adjustments to the Kent CLA boundary by adding the small settlement of Daniel’s Water and excluding the part of the ridgeline rising to Goldwell.

This is gently undulating mixed farmland with enlarged arable fields around Daniel’s Water and smaller scale enclosure pattern to the north with pasture and paddocks around Etchden Wood. The area has a farming backwater feel and generally a unified character especially to the north, however to the east around Daniel’s Water the pattern is more fragmented with a mix of agricultural and suburban residential elements. In particular the large modern agricultural sheds and leylandii hedges detract from the rural scene. Where the land is less intensively farmed with high hedges along lanes and traditional Location of Biddenden High buildings, such as the oast house and moat at Etchden Farm, there is Halden Wooded Farmlands a sense of continuity and strong sense of place.

Etchden Wood which forms a wooded backdrop to the north is an extensive area of pre 19th century coppiced woodlands with good mix of trees, scrub and field layer and particularly overma- ture hornbeam coppice with oak standards. An ancient bank lies to both sides of the Etchden Lane (probable old drove road) reinforce conserve conserve enclosed by the tree canopy. The southern extent has a high & reinforce proportion of conifers interspersed throughout with small fields of improved grassland to the north. The lanes (possibly old drove roads in places) with high hedgerows linking to Etchden create & conserve conserve Wood, ponds and pasture combine to form a good network of reinforce & create & restore semi-natural habitats.

North of the railway the land falls to Worten Home Farm on the create restore & restore edge of the Great Stour Valley and is fragmented in character create with arable fields and rough grazing (probable old land fill site). There are long distance views to the north and Ashford to the Policy recommendation east.

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 80 81 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 BHH1 BHH2 BHH3 CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES

Landuse Farming Recreation Parkland Woodland Business Park Industry Oast at Etchden Farm (E24.5) Etchden Wood (E19.3) Topography Flat Gently undulating Rolling Steeply sloping Lakes/reinforce ponds Streams/ dykes

Vegetation cover Intact hedgerows Hedgerow trees Feature trees Evidence of hedgerow clearance aelgj;slgj;lskdjg Evidence of woodland loss View east towards Ashford from north of railway line (E9.3) Farming type Predominantly arable Mixed farming Mainly pasture Wet meadows

Local vernacular Ragstone, pegtiles, ship lap Oast house

Visibility Open long distance Intermittent Paddocks and high hedges Arable fields near Etchden Farm (E24.7) around Daniel’s Water (E21.3) Restricted

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 80 81 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Braebourne Lees Mixed Farmlands

This county area extends from the eastern fringes of Ashford around the historic settlement of Hinxhill and is bounded to the south by the M20.

We have made a minor adjustment to the Kent CLA boundary by excluding the area to the north of Blackwell Farm.

This is an undulating farmed landscape with scattered woodlands and distinctive pattern of linear tree cover and copses, with large arable fields that have lost some internal boundaries. The woodlands comprise sweet chestnut and hornbeam coppice, wet woods and mixed plantation – many are managed for pheasant rearing and game. The lanes are sunken in places, bounded by species rich mature hedgerows and together with the series of springs and streams with flushes of willow and wet meadows create a good network of semi-natural habitats. There is a feeling of continuity over time and strong sense of place. Location of Braebourne Lees Views are slightly elevated towards the fringes of Ashford across Mixed Farmlands the Great Stour floodplain and north to the North Downs.

Hatch Park is an old deer park with woods, springs, lakes and pasture. Many veteran trees remain and the north of the park is designated SSSI. There has been some loss of the southern part to arable and this area is also affected by noise from the M20. reinforce conserve conserve This is a historic landscape and has a strong sense of place. & reinforce Visibility is intermittent but there are extensive views from the higher parts to the North Downs.

create & conserve conserve reinforce & create & restore

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Policy recommendation

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 82 83 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 BL1 BL2 BL3 CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES

Landuse Farming Recreation Parkland Woodland Business Park Industry Breeches Wood (B15.1) Topography Flat Gently undulating Rolling Steeply sloping Lakes/reinforce ponds Streams/ dykes

Vegetation cover Intact hedgerows Hedgerow trees Feature trees Evidence of hedgerow clearance Typical view near Boarfield Wood towards the North Downs (F12.16am) Evidence of woodland loss

Farming type Predominantly arable Mixed farming Mainly pasture Wet meadows

Local vernacular Ragstone, pegtiles, ship lap Oast house

Visibility Open long distance Intermittent Hatch Park (B14.4, B14.9 & B14.13) Restricted

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 82 83 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Braebourne Vale

This county area sits to the north of Hinxhill extending from Naccolt on the edge of the Great Stour floodplain to Nackholt Wood in the south.

We have made no changes to the Kent CLA boundary.

The land gently falls to the floodplain and lies on Gault Clay. The soils are easily waterlogged and have been drained by a series of dykes creating large fields predominantly for sheep pasture but with some arable. The dykes are marked by flushes of crack willow and ash with a good network of hedges to lanes. Blocks of wet willow woodland are linked to surrounding net- plan work of wetland habitats and species rich wet meadows. The wetwoodlands and species rich wet meadows give a feeling of continuity over time and strong sense of place. There are fine views across the Wye Valley and towards the North Downs and Location of Braebourne Vale glimpsed framed views to south.

Nackholt Wood, designated SNCI comprises mixed use woodland with tall stands of poplars and pond to west, mature wet woodland with ditches and dense hazel coppice. Veteran oaks adjoin the lane to south and open wet flower meadows. The conifer plantation within is well screened with good hedgerow corridors to north west and southern boundaries. reinforce conserve conserve & reinforce

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Policy recommendation

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 84 85 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 BV1 BV2 BV3 CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES

Landuse Farming Recreation Parkland Woodland Business Park Industry Views across Naccolt farmlands towards North Downs (F7.20am) Topography Flat Gently undulating Rolling Steeply sloping Lakes/ ponds Streams/ dykes

Vegetation cover Intact hedgerows Hedgerow trees Feature trees Evidence of hedgerow clearance Wet woods with species rich grasslands near Bourne Dyke (F5.1am) Evidence of woodland loss

Farming type Predominantly arable Mixed farming Mainly pasture Wet meadows

Local vernacular Ragstone, pegtiles, ship lap Oast house

Visibility Open long distance Intermittent Nackholt Wood (F13.23) Restricted

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 84 85 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Hollingbourne Vale

This county area forms the northern extent of our study area to the north and east of Westwell, including Eastwell Park.

We have made no adjustment to the Kent CLA boundary.

The scarp slope of the Downs is intensively cultivated with large rectilinear arable fields with panoramic views towards Ashford and the M20. There are few hedges but those that do exist are associated with the narrow lanes. Eastwell Park has retained some of its original features such as the hammer pond and remnant parkland trees but the intrusion of hotel and intensive arable farming has eroded much of its parkland character. There are some long range views from the north to the North Downs.

Location of Hollingbourne Vale

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Policy recommendation

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 86 87 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 HV1 HV2 CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES

Landuse Farming Recreation Parkland Woodland Business Park Industry Eastwell Park (D23.4 & D23.3) Topography Flat Gently undulating Rolling Steeply sloping Lakes/ ponds Streams/ dykes

Vegetation cover Intact hedgerows Hedgerow trees Feature trees Evidence of hedgerow clearance Evidence of woodland loss View near Crouchers Manor looking towards North Downs (D32.1main) Farming type Predominantly arable Mixed farming Mainly pasture Wet meadows

Local vernacular Ragstone, pegtiles, ship lap Oast house

Visibility Open long distance Southerly view across Westwell Farmlands (D33.a8) and typical lane nearby (D33.a4) Intermittent Restricted

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 86 87 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Hothfield Heathy Farmlands

This county area extends from the north western suburbs of Godinton Park is a Special Landscape Area on the green- Ashford to include Godinton Park and Hothfield Common and sand ridge but has suffered decline over the years. Hothfield is crossed by both the M20 and the CTRL. Common is an acid valley bog remnant of a larger heathland that at one time extended further along the greensand, and is We have made a minor adjustment to the Kent CLA boundary designated SSSI. by including the outlier of Greensand Fruit Belt CLA. To the south of Hothfield the farmland is gently sloping with a The overriding feature of the Hothfield Heathy Farmlands is its mix of medium sized arable fields and pasture with scattered variable topography, landuse and character. To the north of woodland shelter belts and isolated farmsteads with traditional Sandyhurst and to the south of the M20 are large gently undu- pre 19th century houses, including Hothfield Manor with medi- lating arable fields with thick hedgerows to lanes (probable old eval church, walled garden and extensive estate wall. There is drove roads). Old maps reveal a loss of woodland and internal an oast at Paddocks Farm. This coherent pattern of elements field hedges in these areas. To the north of the M20 and adja- reflects the former fruit production within the Greensand Fruit cent to Ashford the landuse is mixed with farmland, business Belt. Location of Hothfield Heathy Farmlands park and golf course, whereas to the south of the M20 there are extensive coppice woodlands including Hoad’s Wood and There are glimpsed views to the North Downs and south The Warren. to the Great Stour Valley. The M20 and CTRL are audible throughout much of the area. reinforce conserve conserve & reinforce

create & conserve conserve reinforce & create & restore

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Policy recommendation

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 88 89 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 88 89 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 View northwards from the edge of Sandyhurst towards Kingsland (D31.1) Lodge Wood (D48.3) Godinton Park (G10.4am)

Looking south from Maidstone Road (D36.3) Lady’s weir (G9.2am) Farmland near Hall Farm to the west of Hothfield (G26.1a)

Godinton Lane (G7.3) Hothfield manor church (G23.2b) and surrounding farm- Hothfield Common (12 - Bracken) land with copses and shelterbelts (G26.1a1)

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 90 91 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 HHF1 HHF2 HHF4 HHF5 HHF6 HHF7 HHF8 CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES

Landuse Farming Recreation Parkland Woodland Business Park Heathland

Topography Flat Gently undulating Rolling Steeply sloping Lakes/ ponds Streams/ dykes

Vegetation cover Intact hedgerows Hedgerow trees Feature trees Evidence of hedgerow clearance Evidence of woodland loss

Farming type Predominantly arable Mixed farming Mainly pasture Wet meadows

Local vernacular Ragstone, pegtiles, ship lap Oast house

Visibility Open long distance Intermittent Restricted

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 90 91 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Mersham Farmlands

This county area sits to the south east of Ashford and is bounded by the M20 to the north and the CTRL to the south. The historic settlement of Mersham sits within the centre of the area and St. Mary’s Church Sevington, with its distinctive tower is a local landmark to the west.

We have made some minor adjustments to the Kent CLA boundary to the south of the CTRL by including those higher areas that are part of the greensand ridge.

This is an open undulating farmed landscape of predominantly large arable fields that have lost hedges, but with some smaller scale pasture and intact hedges around Mersham. There are a few distinctive lanes such as Highfield Land and sunken Blind Lane with high hedges but generally hedges remaining are gappy. Generally the views are open and long distance south Location of Mersham Farmlands towards the Aldington Ridge and Colliers Hill, west towards Ashford and east towards the North Downs. The M20 and Channel Tunnel Rail Link, although in cutting for the most part is audible throughout much of the area. reinforce conserve conserve & reinforce

create & conserve conserve reinforce & create & restore

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Policy recommendation

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 92 93 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 MF1 MF2 MF3 MF4 CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES

Landuse Farming Recreation Parkland Woodland Business Park Industry Mixed farming with intact hedges to the north of Mersham (B11.1b) Topography Flat Gently undulating Rolling Steeply sloping Lakes/ ponds Streams/ dykes

Vegetation cover Intact hedgerows Hedgerow trees Feature trees Evidence of hedgerow clearance View across arable fields near Highfield lane (B1.15) Evidence of woodland loss

Farming type Predominantly arable Mixed farming Mainly pasture Wet meadows

Local vernacular Ragstone, pegtiles, ship lap Oast house

Visibility Open long distance Intermittent Farmland to north of Bower Road to the east of Mersham (B12.3) Restricted

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 92 93 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Old Romney Shoreline Wooded Farmlands

This county area sits to the south of Ashford on the outer edge of our study area. reinforce conserve conserve & reinforce There is one settlement centre - Bromley Green surrounded Location of Old Romney by mature coppice woodlands of Bishops Wood and Capel Shoreline Wooded Farmlands Wood. create & conserve conserve reinforce & create & restore We have made some major adjustments to the Kent CLA boundary by excluding a major part of the northern extension which is not wooded and relates better to the lower lying Upper Stour Valley or the higher ground of the Aldington Ridge. create restore & restore create The area is characterised by undulating mixed farmland with generally strong hedgerows interspersed with old coppiced Policy recommendation woodlands, which give strong sense of enclosure to the landscape and a valuable network of wildlife corridors and semi- natural habitats. Overall the patchwork of small fields with mature woods and scattered farmsteads give a strong sense of place.

Historic maps indicate that there has been some clearance of woodland especially to the west and around Bliby Wood in the north. Today there is some localised weakening of woodland edge by settlement encroachment.

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 94 95 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 ORS1 ORS2 ORS3 ORS4 ORS5 CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES

Landuse Farming Recreation Parkland Woodland Business Park Plant Nursery Great Turrels Wood from Hornash Lane (C44.2) Bishop’s Wood (C35.3) Topography Flat Gently undulating Rolling Steeply sloping Lakes/ ponds Streams/ dykes

Vegetation cover Intact hedgerows Hedgerow trees Feature trees Evidence of hedgerow clearance Farmlands around Bromley Green Farm (C45.7) Evidence of woodland loss

Farming type Predominantly arable Mixed farming Mainly pasture Wet meadows

Local vernacular Ragstone, pegtiles, ship lap Oast house

Visibility Open long distance Intermittent Farmland to the east of Bishop’s Wood Farmland near Little Gains Farm to the Restricted (C35.1) north of Aldington Frith (A34.1)

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 94 95 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Stour Gap

This county area sits to the north of Ashford in a low lying gently undulating farmed landscape to the west of the Great Stour and bounded by the Ashford – Canterbury railway to the east. Kennington Hall, an old house with parkland and large plant nursery are situated within the eastern side.

We have made some major adjustments to the Kent CLA boundary by excluding the lower lying areas within the Great Stour Valley, which relate better to the Stour Valley LCA.

The area is predominantly arable – hedgerows have been removed to give large prairie style fields with extensive views to the North Downs. Around Kennington Hall the parkland grounds and mixed plantations give a more wooded appearance and together with the mixed farming and rough grazing areas give some semi-natural habitats in an otherwise inten- Location of Stour Gap sively farmed landscape. Similarly the Eastwell Farmlands are less intensively farmed with rolling arable and pasture enclosed in part by mature thick hedges and small isolated woodlands. To the north are poplar belts associated with the nursery.

There are 2 oast houses suggesting that the area was once a varied landscape with orchards and pasture, probably enclosed by tall hedges and divided by shelterbelts. reinforce conserve conserve & reinforce

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Policy recommendation

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 96 97 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 SG1 SG2 SG3 SG4 SG5 SG6 CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES

Landuse Farming Recreation Parkland Woodland Business Park Plant Nursery Open prairie style fields to the east of Kennington (D16.3) Topography Flat Gently undulating Rolling Steeply sloping Lakes/ ponds Streams/ dykes

Vegetation cover Intact hedgerows Hedgerow trees Feature trees Evidence of hedgerow clearance Pasture near Kennington Hall (D17.2) Evidence of woodland loss

Farming type Predominantly arable Mixed farming Mainly pasture Wet meadows

Local vernacular Ragstone, pegtiles, ship lap Oast house

Visibility Open long distance Intermittent Poplar belts near nursery to the south of Kempe’s Corner (D18.3) Restricted

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 96 97 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Stour Valley

This county area sits to the north of Ashford covering part of the Great Stour Valley and bounded by the Ashford – Canterbury railway on the West. The M20 lies to the southern boundary.

We have made some major adjustments to the Kent CLA boundary by including the low lying areas on the edges of the Ashford fringe from the Stour Gap CLA as these areas follow the Stour floodplain north of Ashford, and read as part of the Stour Valley Area. Likewise we have extended the area northwards to include the valley which was part of the Wye Stour Valley CLA.

The amended Stour Valley area includes the whole of the Great Stour valley from the flooded gravel pits adjacent to the Julie Rose Stadium and northwards as the Stour meanders through farmland towards Wye. The landscape is drained by Location of Stour Valley deep dykes with open large arable fields extending upto the river, which is delineated in places by mature willows. There are some discrete areas of pasture and damp alder woodland with willows and white poplar. Towards Ashford the flooded gravel pits with wet meadows and streams are an important wildlife habitat especially for over wintering birds, and the park at Bybrook is a local recreational area with pond. There are expansive views towards Ashford and the North Downs. reinforce conserve conserve & reinforce

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Policy recommendation

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 98 99 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 SV1 SV2 SV3 SV4 CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES

Landuse Farming Recreation Parkland Woodland Business Park Plant Nursery View west towards Ashford from Blackwell Road (D6.1) Topography Flat Gently undulating Rolling Steeply sloping Lakes/ ponds River/ streams/ dykes

Vegetation cover Intact hedgerows Hedgerow trees Feature trees Evidence of hedgerow clearance Evidence of woodland loss Meandering Great Stour near gravel pits looking towards Ashford (D5.1) Farming type Predominantly arable Mixed farming Mainly pasture Wet meadows

Local vernacular Ragstone, pegtiles, ship lap Oast house

Visibility Open long distance Intermittent Flooded gravel pits adjacent to Julie Rose stadium (D4.2) Restricted

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 98 99 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Upper Stour Valley

This county area is split north west and south east of Ashford The Upper Stour Valley is an extensive open valley floor land- – the Upper Great Stour Valley to the north west of Ashford scape of predominantly arable farming where hedgerows have and the eastern Upper Stour Valley containing the East Stour, been removed during the conversion to unimproved pasture Ruckinge and White Water Dykes to the south east. and riparian vegetation lost as cultivation extends close to the river banks. This intensification with loss of vegetation and wild- There are 2 ‘settlements’ the Waterbrook Freight Depot that life corridors is particularly evident at the East Stour Valley and projects into the floodplain, and the Forstal and Mill which are Ruckinge Dyke. At Waterbrook and Willesborough Dykes there the extension of Mersham on the southern side of the CTRL is a mix of neglected farmland, wasteland and major transport and London to Dover Railway. corridors which give an interrupted and fragmented character and open views to the suburbs of Ashford. We have made adjustments to the Kent CLA boundary to exclude the area to the south east of Chilmington and to include Occasionally the Great Stour tributaries and wet areas are a greater extent along the Ruckinge Dyke valley lying within the delineated by flushes of willows or wet alder woodland which is floodplain. more marked to the Upper Great Stour Valley. Here the mixed Location of Upper Stour Valley farming and strong hedgelines with discrete poplar plantations give a reticulated and more distinctive landscape.

reinforce conserve conserve & reinforce

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Policy recommendation

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 100 101 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 100 101 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Near Mansion Copse (north of Worten Mill & north west of Ashford) (G17.3 & G17.4) Moat at Aylesford Green (A2.2)

Looking south along East Stour near Outlet Village (C1.1) Looking north towards Ashford from A2070(T) (C1.5)

East of Flood Street looking south (A2.1) Open fields around Swanton Mill (A2.5)

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 102 103 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 USV1 USV2 USV3 USV4 USV5 USV6 CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES

Landuse Farming Recreation Parkland Woodland Former industrial use Freight Depot

Topography Flat Gently undulating Rolling Steeply sloping Lakes/ ponds Streams/ dykes

Vegetation cover Intact hedgerows Hedgerow trees Feature trees Evidence of hedgerow clearance Evidence of woodland loss

Farming type Predominantly arable Mixed farming Mainly pasture Wet meadows

Local vernacular Ragstone, pegtiles, ship lap Oast house

Visibility Open long distance Intermittent Restricted

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 102 103 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 References

Agricultural Landscapes: A Third Look R. Westmacott & T. Worthington for The Countryside Commission 1994

Countryside Character Volume 7 South East and London The Countryside Agency 1999

Darling Buds of May HE Bates

Flora Poetica - The Chatto Book of Botanical Verse 2003.

Landscape and Nature Conservation Guidelines KCC 1993

The Character of England’s natural and man-made landscape The Countryside Agency 1999

The South East Down and Weald: Kent Surrey and Sussex JWhite 1977

Towards a Rural Landscape Strategy Engleback. Edinburgh College of Art/ Heriot-Watt University 1983

Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 104 105 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Ashford Landscape Character Study for English Partnerships & Ashford Borough Council studioengleback 104 105 122/doc/014 Summary Report 11/2005 Studio Engleback Tel: 01892 538 537 8a London Road Fax: 01892 538 438 Tunbridge Wells email [email protected] Kent TN1 2EJ web: www.studioengleback.com

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